ARMED THREAT

On Thursday, a woman walked into Kanye Magistrate Court looking like a shadow of herself, red-eyed, visibly in pain,and with her family by her side.They had come to witness her ex-boyfriend, a Botswana Defence Force (BDF) soldier, being arraigned.According to the case prosecutor, sergeant Lenah Banyaditse, she had just been discharged from the hospital the previous day. Her physical injuries were still fresh, and her family, visibly empathetic, offered her support and comfort. They declined interviews but their faces revealed the pain they were carrying alongside her.The case presided before senior magistrate Keneilwe Kgoadi. The accused, Otumile Ntwayapelo, a BDF soldier based in Francistown, faced two charges, rape and making threats to kill his ex-girlfriend.According to court sergeant Banyaditse, the accused assaulted the victim and threatened to end her life, reportedly telling her, 'Ke tlile go go bolaya, bo ke ipolaya,'- loosely translated, 'I will kill you, then kill myself.' The alleged incident occurred at Nkaikela ward in Moshupa and the victim is still nursing fresh injuries and slowly recovering from the assault.In court, Ntwayapelo said he would engage a lawyer. His plea was reserved, and the case was postponed to August 7th for continuation.In February, another shocking case emerged. A 33-year-old BDF soldier reportedly shot and killed his girlfriend before taking his own life in Maun at Newtown ward. Neighbours and the cousin of the 29-year-old woman, later said they were awoken by gunshots, only to discover the couple lying dead.Also still before the court is the case of Captain Mogomotsi Sepopa, the BDF officer accused of fatally gunning down two women at Gaborone Village Garrison Camp. That case continues to unfold.Showing concern about the killings, former Botswana Defence Force Commander, General Gaolathe Galebotswe, recently spoke out against the rising number of violent incidents involving BDF personnel, including the misuse of firearms against unarmed civilians. He described the trend as tragic and unacceptable and called for immediate interventions, such as providing professionalcounselling and psychological support to soldiers.In another recent incident, Lobatse Principal Magistrate Tshoganetso Atamelang advised that a soldier is expected to protect the community, not harm it. This was said during a bail denial ruling for BDF soldier Moagi Mokomeng, who faces nine charges, including three counts of murder, unlawful wounding, and arson. Mokomeng is accused of killing three family members in Kgomokasitwa village and torching their bodies inside their home.These incidents are not new. In 2016, a retired 52-year-old soldier from Mapoka village in the North East District was arrested in Molepolole after allegedly killing a 48-year-old woman at Lesetlheng ward. The woman was the mother of his 26-year-old girlfriend. The crime was committed in front of a toddler.BDF Commander Lieutenant General Placid Segokgo recently confirmed before Public Accounts Committee (PAC) session that from 2021 to date, 86 soldiers have been involved in murder-suicide incidents. While this accounts for less than one percent of the force, he said the BDF has responded by bringing in chaplains, social welfare officers, psychologists, and HR personnel to help address the growing issue, which is closely tied to gender-based violence.Meanwhile, the Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) has been calling on government leadership to prioritise the protection and safety of women. This comes amid ongoing concern about the rising cases of gender-based violence. BONELA recently staged a peaceful protest outside the Extension II Magistrate Court, expressing deep concern over the worsening GBV crisis.BONELA Executive Director, Cindy Kelemi described the situation as a national emergency. She said the growing number of GBV cases shows a need for urgent attention, stronger political commitment, community participation, and proper systemic reform. BONELA continues to urge government to put effective policies into action, improve the capacity of law enforcement agencies, and support grassroots movements working to end GBV.

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ARMED THREAT